Career coaching is a nationally-recognized and accredited method of supporting and empowering students to work through barriers and achieve career success. Coaches at the Center for Career Engagement are trained in this methodology of asking powerful questions, listening, reflecting, and guiding students to design action steps in their career development process. We also educate students about career resources along the way.
Please note that in a coaching relationship you are responsible for your own choices and progress. We believe you are creative, resourceful and capable. To that end, we aim to be your partner as you make progress; we will not simply provide answers, solutions and connections.
Click here to schedule an appointment. We highly recommend a 50 minute appointment. (30 minutes is okay if you are checking in quickly after having met with us several times.)
Each career exploration coaching session looks a little different. But core topics tend to stem from some common themes. For example, together we might:
Discuss ideas such as…
- What success or growth looks like for you.
- How to stay hopeful if you’re not sure where you are headed, or things aren’t working out.
- Exploring how you’d like to impact the world. (It’s totally okay if you are not sure!)
Brainstorm:
- Values and possible barriers that impact your career decisions.
- Names of organizations that intrigue you (as a start to your target list) and how you can build on that list.
- People you might connect with to learn more about a field or organization.
Debrief experiences like…
- Times you have felt joy.
- Lessons from past experiences, and how those can help guide you forward.
Uncover possibilities by…
- Talking through hunches you’ve had about your strengths and/or possible directions.
- Exploring different organizations or fields you’re drawn to.
- Taking a more formal self-assessment, if that’s of interest.
Think through:
- Your online presence and what you want it to say about you.
- How you might manage the project that is an internship or grad school or job search.
Consider and outline next steps, including…
- Identifying where/how you might experiment with career engagement.
- Discussing your timeline for finding an opportunity.
- Figuring out a plan to stay on track with exploration and searching.
it’s exactly what you’re supposed to be doing in college.
Carol Moakley | cmoakley@wustl.edu
My undergraduate degree was interdisciplinary: essentially Psych/Sociology/Anthro. After 5 “gap” years, I earned an M.S.W. from WashU’s Brown School. The 20’s was a very nonlinear/exploratory decade for me (to put it nicely)…decision making can be tough! I’ve always worked in health & human services including fundraising, job development for adults with disabilities, and pediatric medical case management. I’ve also learned a ton by serving on boards and through other community leadership roles.
I love people’s stories. There’s nothing better than coaching/advising students and alumni who are crafting authentic lives of purpose through their academic, personal, and professional choices.
April McLellan | amclellan@wustl.edu
I love to support students through curiosity and discovery, trying things out, and through pivots and changes in plan. Career development is a lifelong evolution and there is plenty of time to become who you want to be. There is power in learning along the way, resilience, and self-compassion.
My story makes more sense looking backwards — which is true for nearly everyone! Post-undergrad, I drove the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile across the U.S. and, after that, I zig-zagged plenty before landing here. My education includes a Bachelor of Journalism in Strategic Communications and a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology, with an emphasis in career counseling.
Tawni Hoeglund | tawni.hoeglund@wustl.edu
I am passionate about helping students and alumni identify and explore career possibilities that align with their interests, values, abilities, and strengths. As a psychologist, I have provided counseling for college students, designed and taught courses in psychology, and conducted research.
I am also personally familiar with the career exploration process. In my previous career, I worked as a computer engineer and wrote code to simulate integrated circuits prior to fabrication. Finding my way to psychology and helping individuals took a significant amount of exploration, but it was absolutely worth it.
We look forward to connecting with you in-person or virtually. Click here to schedule an appointment.
We highly recommend a 50 minute appointment. (30 minutes is okay if you are checking in quickly after having met with us several times.)